PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to Mandaluyong City to distribute assistance to 35 households from Barangay Addition Hills that were affected by a recent fire incident.
“Mga kababayan ko, sana nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam namin na napakahirap pa ng panahon ngayon lalo pa at nasunugan kayo pero huwag kayong mag alala dahil tuluy-tuloy naman po ang suporta galing sa gobyerno,” Go expressed in his video message during the relief activity on Tuesday, July 19.
Go’s team handed out masks, meals, grocery packs and shirts to each family member at Mandaluyong City Hall. They also gave away phablets, bicycles, shoes, and balls for volleyball and basketball to select individuals.
Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance to each affected family.
To enable better fire response in the country, Go principally authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021.
The Act mandates the bureau to undergo a modernization program that includes the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of additional personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters. It likewise directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the respective local government units.
“Hindi lamang po ang pag-modernize ng ating equipment ang makatutulong sa paglaban sa mga sunog. Mahalaga rin dito ang fire safety education. ‘Yung atin dito, kung papaano i-prevent at maturuan ang mga kababayan natin kung paano ba maiiwasan ang mga sunog,” explained Go.
Go, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, then urged those with health concerns to take advantage of the medical assistance programs offered in any of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, including one at the National Center for Mental Health in the city.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently avail of medical assistance from the partnered government agencies, such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. To date, there are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have assisted over three million Filipinos since 2018.
Concluding his message, the senator assured the affected families that his office is always open to provide them additional aid. He also acknowledged the local officials who helped the fire victims recover.
“Huwag sana kayong mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandirito ang gobyerno para tulungan kayong makabangon muli. Lapitan niyo ako kung may iba pa kaming maitutulong. Nakikiisa ako sa Marcos Administration at pagsisilbihan namin kayo sa abot ng aming makakaya,” said Go.
To help ensure the continued development of Metro Manila, Go has also supported several projects, including the construction of multipurpose buildings and halls in the cities of Mandaluyong, Quezon and Parañaque; acquisition of ambulance units in the cities of Manila, Navotas, Parañaque, Taguig and Valenzuela; acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in the cities of Manila and Muntinlupa; rehabilitation of facilities in Navotas Polytechnic College in Navotas City; and the construction of a seven-story Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence in Valenzuela City.
On the previous day, Go’s team also mounted a relief activity for struggling residents in Quezon City. (OSBG)
